Viscous engine fan failure?

[CraigH]

I have a feeling my engine fan is not engaging like it should. Reason being is my electric fan is running almost all the time even with the A/C off and ambient Temps around 21c.

Are the viscous clutch on these common/ prone to failure?

Cheers
Craig

[Road Stone]

Hi,

They are known to fail, but not prone to, just age related.

To test, with engine off try spinning it with your finger. If it rotates freely with no resistance, then it will need replacing.

Cheers, Jerry

[CraigH]

Yep, it's a bit like that. Turns fairly easy.
It's going in to my LR mech next week, I'll get him to check it.

Cheers

Craig

[tangus89]

try turning it immediately after a drive where it should have been working, if it is still good it should be very hard to turn, if it is the same as when it's cold then its dead.

cheers

[CraigH]

try turning it immediately after a drive where it should have been working, if it is still good it should be very hard to turn, if it is the same as when it's cold then its dead.

cheers

Tried it.. Look like its knackered...:(

[LandyAndy]

Grab a handful of strong rag,get a good purchase on it and gently touch the edge of the fan with the engine idling.If the hub is stuffed the fan will stop,if its ok it will try to grab the rag.Take it for a run and repeat with a hot engine,definately shouldnt stop spinning when hot and should try harder to grab the rag.
Sounds dangerous,as long as you are careful its OK.
Andrew

[brenno]

Grab a handful of strong rag,get a good purchase on it and gently touch the edge of the fan with the engine idling.If the hub is stuffed the fan will stop,if its ok it will try to grab the rag.Take it for a run and repeat with a hot engine,definately shouldnt stop spinning when hot and should try harder to grab the rag.
Sounds dangerous,as long as you are careful its OK.
Andrew

'and that was the day that CraigH changed his forum name to Stumpy' :p

[CraigH]

'and that was the day that CraigH changed his forum name to Stumpy' :p

Well before that happens, :( I've had a chat to my LR mechanic. Getting it replaced this week.

[Hoges]

'and that was the day that CraigH changed his forum name to Stumpy' :p

Yep, neighbour across road raised bonnet of his wife's car while engine running to check for leaks... then proceeded to give the rocker cover a cursory clean... rag got caught and quick as a flash dragged his hand into the fan belt... he is now minus two fingers from the middle knuckle ...

[slug_burner]

I'd give the rag idea a miss. If you want to test it yourself use a 50mm paintbrush and try and stop the fan with the bristles. Better still when you have hot weather, idle the engine with the air conditioner on, you should hear the roar of the fan when it engages as the cooling system heats up. Not that you are going to see any sign of the temperature rise on the gauge.

[bob10]

try turning it immediately after a drive where it should have been working, if it is still good it should be very hard to turn, if it is the same as when it's cold then its dead.

cheers

x2, Bob

[fourteen8]

x2, Bob

Nooo...I just tried mine and it needs replacing as well. When its going to end 😂

[Cannon]

I thought I had a stuffed fan for ages but it turned out to be the radiator.

It was blocked right in the front of the fan where the higher temps are supposed to actuated the spring in the fan to let more fluid in & lock the fan.

Consequently that area was cold while all around it was super hot & the fan never locked up.

New radiator fixed it.

[CraigH]

I thought I had a stuffed fan for ages but it turned out to be the radiator.

It was blocked right in the front of the fan where the higher temps are supposed to actuated the spring in the fan to let more fluid in & lock the fan.

Consequently that area was cold while all around it was super hot & the fan never locked up.

New radiator fixed it.

Funny you say that.... Just talking with mechanic, my radiator looks to be original so we both agreed to replace it too.

[Zypper]

A good easy test goes like this:
After a run, engine up to normal operating temp, let engine idle for 2-3 minutes, bonnet open, have someone switch engine off while you watch the fan, the fan should do less than 5 revolutions (preferably only 2 or 3) after the engine has stopped.

Zypper.